Intel Core i5-3450 vs Intel Core i7-3960X. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Segment
  Desktop / Server Desktop / Server
• Family
  Intel Core i5 Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition
• Generation
  3 3
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 3000 Intel Core i 3000X

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Frequency
  3.10 GHz 3.30 GHz
• CPU Cores
  4 6
• Turbo (1 Core)
  3.50 GHz 3.90 GHz
• CPU Threads
  4 12
• Hyperthreading
  No Yes
• Overclocking
  No Yes
• Core architecture
  normal normal

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  Intel HD Graphics 2500 no iGPU
• GPU frequency
  0.65 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.10 GHz No turbo
• Execution units
  6
• Shader
  48
• Max. displays
  3
• Generation
  7
• DirectX Version
  11.0
• Technology
  22 nm
• Release date
  Q2/2012

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  No No
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  No No
• h264
  Decode / Encode No
• VP9
  No No
• VP8
  No No
• AV1
  No No
• AVC
  Decode / Encode No
• VC-1
  Decode No
• JPEG
  Decode No

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i7-3960X and Intel Core i5-3450. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1600 DDR3-1600
• Max. Memory
  32 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  2 4
• PCIe version
  3.0
• PCIe lanes
  16

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i5-3450 and Intel Core i7-3960X to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  77 W 130 W

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i5-3450 and Intel Core i7-3960X, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d (C2 Stepping)
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
• L3-Cache
  6.00 MB 15.00 MB
• Architecture
  Ivy Bridge S Sandy Bridge E
• Technology
  22 nm 32 nm
• Socket
  LGA 1155 LGA 2011
• Release date
  Q2/2012 Q4/2011